Small SailBoat Cabin Design

[HelmutSheina]

Carlos has probably never been to a hospital burn unit. Neither have I.
There have been many accidents involving monohulls due to gas physics.
All charter boats keep their gas cylinders in an insulated compartment, which reduces the risk—but doesn't eliminate it.

I have seen a number of boat fires from close by in various situations and they were never nice. Polyester resin is particularly impressive, highly flammable and clouds of choking black smoke. Forget your grab bag, straight over the side and get clear, the smoke will be your EPIRB. It does leave some metal bits and powdery fibreglass behind.

I have also spent 5 weeks on a burns ward and would not recommend it to even those I detest.

 

[Tops]

On my 21'/6.4m sailboat I have a 3.6 sqft [.33 sqm] forward hatch with a homemade fine mesh insect net that works great. I also have 2 mid-priced 12v clamp-on fans from Amazon with variable speed control, one per crew. I used them more this year working on the boat than when using the boat. I planned on 2 large opening ports and a companionway screen but did not get those installed this season, the existing hatch with the netting was enough for the nights I was out.

+1 for an Origo non-pressurized alcohol stove. My coffee or dinner seems to cook faster than breakfast or a beer is consumed so the whole notion of 'going faster' while cooking is wasted on me. I wish I would have bought the gimbal brackets before they discontinued the stove and all of the accessories went through the roof price-wise. Mine has the pot fiddles so that is nice.

 

[CarlosK2]

Yes, Origo, i have one

---

"hospital burn unit"

There is a world of difference between simply heating up the contents of a can of food and actual cooking.

With gas, a can of food heats up in 30 to 60 seconds—you just grab the pot and keep an eye on the process.

Cooking, on the other hand, takes place in the cockpit while at anchor.

A portable stove placed near the companionway is far safer than the typical fixed installation found on all Dinosaurs. There are no pipes, clamps, or connections, and what's more, you can simply toss it overboard.

So, I propose that the glossy brochures for the "dinosaur" yachts of this glorious industry come with images of a burn unit, just like packs of cigarettes.

 

[CarlosK2]

The funny thing

The funny thing is, I was actually proposing an electric induction cooktop in this thread...

...but I’ve suddenly developed a love for gas. Plus, I realized a 2000-watt, 24V-to-220V inverter weighs 3.5–4 kilos. So, long live the portable gas-cartridge stove—no hoses, no connections, and none of the clamps associated with dangerous fixed installations.

On another note, a different AI tells me I can ventilate my cabin using computer fans, provided the exhaust duct doesn't have any elbows.

Perfect: two computer fans plus two other fans—four in total.

 

[CarlosK2]

The temptation of a bow hatch is enormous—huge: that moment when you open the hatch and the fresh breeze rushes in... Yes; but the risk associated with Plan A is very low when dealing with a wooden deck—there is always time to cut and install one later... I’ll give this some more thought.

 

[CarlosK2]

The most common cause of fires on sailboats and motorboats is electrical in origin.

The most common cause of gas-related accidents is the long line running between the gas cylinder and the stove.

With a portable stove, the small gas canister is always disconnected.

Unlock --- Lock

 

[CarlosK2]

Now I see it clearly: two small hatches (30 x 20 cm) without glass (!) because the priority is ventilation

+ 2 small hatches without glass
+ the two large cabin entry/exit hatches (here lies the eternal question: acrylic or polycarbonate?)
+ 2 computer fans
+ 2 fans

 

[gonzo]

The most common cause of fires on sailboats and motorboats is electrical in origin.

That is not correct. Check the statistics. Fuel or other flammable is the main cause.

The most common cause of gas-related accidents is the long line running between the gas cylinder and the stove.

That is not correct. Gas leaks at connections or appliances left on without being lit are.

 

[kapnD]

What’s the CFM rating on computer fans vs the interior of your yacht?
They are only designed to ventilate a smallish box, and will be ineffective at ventilating an entire cabin, unless you use a small army of them.
Don’t cook cabbage or beans!

 

[fallguy]

I use computer fans on my boat. They are temperature controlled in two places where I run two fans opposite each other for air exchange to attempt to stay below 100F behind the helm. Two mfds run pretty hot if the spaces are small. The pc fans will fail to move enough air for you. There is nothing quite as horrible as a cabin and poor airflow; worse when temps get above 90F. Those hatches can be improved with sailcloth diverters; especially great for sleeping on a warm night.

My boat has very poor clothes storage; drives me up the wall. The space is there, behind the settee back, but inconvenient.

My boat is all kitchen and not used too much.

I have propane. 11 pound bottle. It uses a sniffer and a solenoid.

 

[montero]

"Those hatches can be improved with sailcloth diverters; especially great for sleeping on a warm night."
?

 

[wet feet]

An amateur in Europe does not have to follow the RCD but arranging insurance and eventually selling the boat will be a lot easier if the boat conforms.One of the requirements is escape routes in the event of fire/explosion.

 

[Tops]

"Those hatches can be improved with sailcloth diverters; especially great for sleeping on a warm night."
?

I think he means things like these:

https://defender.com/en_us/breeze-booster-hatch-ventilator?

 

[gonzo]

One of the requirements is escape routes in the event of fire/explosion.

At what size is that mandatory? There are 16 foot boats with a vee berth under a tiny cabin.

 

[wet feet]

At what size is that mandatory? There are 16 foot boats with a vee berth under a tiny cabin.

No idea what minimum size applies as I have not had to deal with micro cruisers.If you really need to know,take a detailed look at https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2013/53/oj/eng